October 17, 2013 will be remembered as a black day for the people of New South Wales. Bush fires ripped through the state and were considered to be the worst bush fires New South Wales had seen since the 1960s. Approximately 248 houses and other structures were destroyed in the fires, with 118,000 hectares of land burnt, two fatalities and an estimated claim cost of more than AUD $94 million. Devastation is one word that comes to mind.
It is possible to prepare your home and property if a bush fire does break out. Even if your plan is to leave early, the more you prepare your home, the more likely it will be to survive bush fire or ember attack.
The emotional cost of the loss of a home can be very traumatic. From October 2012 – October 2013, there were 4,540 fire related insurance claims made worth more than $138 million in damages. Some of these were due to bush fires.
A well prepared home can be easier for you and fire fighters to defend and is less likely to put your neighbours’ homes at risk. There are things that you can do around your house and garden to prepare your home and property for bush fires.
- Keep garden mulch away from the house and keep grass short.
- Cut back any overhanging trees or shrubs and dispose of cuttings appropriately.
- Plant trees and shrubs which are less likely to ignite due to their low oil content.
- Store wood piles well away from the house and keep covered.
- Regularly recycle newspapers and cardboard. Don’t store piles of recycling material close to the house.
- LPG gas bottles should have the valve facing away from the house.
- Remove and store any flammable items away from the house.
- Non-combustible fences are the most effective at withstanding the intense heat generated by a bush fire.
- If you have a water tank, dam or swimming pool, consider installing a Static Water Supply sign (SWS).
- Pool chemicals can ignite if placed near other flammable liquids so store them separately from other potentially dangerous chemicals.
- Ensure you have a hose which is long enough to reach every part of the home.
Not all homes can be defended and your safety is always first priority. It’s also important to remember to create an evacuation plan for you and your family and make sure you maintain adequate levels of home and contents insurance.
